Gluten Free Beef Jerky

Beef jerky tends to have soy sauce or teriyaki sauce, so it is hard to find GF beef jerky.
When I crave protein, I buy Trader Joe's Organic Beef Jerky "Original" flavor.
It is $4.99 for 3 ounces of jerky (33 grams of protein and 210 calories).
It says "Gluten Free" on the lower right corner of the green bag. (see picture below)
It does not feature the TJ's gluten free logo, so you may have overlooked it.
Beware, some other flavors by the same company contain gluten, so read carefully.
It tastes good and makes for a great snack to help you make it to the next mealtime without passing out or being overly cranky. 

Gluten Free at Dodger Stadium (beer and snacks)

So I went to watch the Dodger play the equally hapless Mets last Saturday.
I had read in the LA Times that the Dodgers (by way of their food server - Levy Restaurants) would be offering some gluten free items this year.  I didn't want to post until I checked it out.

You need to find the Kaiser Permanent Healthy Plate cart.
Here is what the cart sign looks like...

 

Here is a picture of the prices...notice that the GF Beer, Redbridge, is not unreasonably priced (for a ballpark) at $6 per 12 oz bottle. It is about a 400% markup over normal store prices...like most other beer.

And lastly, here is a picture of the gluten free redbridge beer (so you know it is not a myth).  Remember, beer sales stop in the 7th inning, so get their early and ask for the Kaiser Cart with the gluten free beer...

Sadly, the food left almost everything to be desired...they only had GF snacks.

There were only 3 choices..1) gummy bears 2)pistachios 3)snack bars.
 (and the gummy bears were getting mushy in direct sunlight)

I wrote before about the new gluten free food at the new Met Stadium, which included some GF BBQ and other fun things.  Even the Washington Wizards have some GF foods available.  It's sad that there are not better offerings for the 56,000 fans that Dodger Stadium can hold. If they have an average ratio of about 1 in 100 people as a celiac, that means there are 560 celiacs that can't buy a proper meal at Dodger Stadium (when the stadium is sold out).

In short, it is a good start, but underwhelming.  It would be great if the Dodgers and Levy Restaurants were more proactive about catering to people with dietary needs (particularly celiac disease).  I would go to more Dodger games each year if I was able to eat food (which means more food, ticket, and parking money for the McCourts).

Gluten Free in Waikiki, Gluten Free in Honolulu, Gluten Free in Hawaii

I'm going to Hawaii in the near future, so am posting this as the list of places that I may go
(so I can refer to it).
Reviews when I return. Some are big chain restaurants.

PF Chang's : Gluten Free menus are in PDF on the site.
Waikiki - Located in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center
Sunday - Thursday 11:00am- 11:00pm   Friday - Saturday 11:00am - midnight
2201 Kalakaua Ave. Suite A401
Honolulu, HI 96815
Honolulu - Located in the in the Hokua Building
Monday - Thursday and Sunday 11am - 10:30pm  Friday & Saturday 11 am - 11:30pm
1288 Ala Moana Boulevard, Ground Floor (Enter from Auahi Street)
Honolulu, HI 96814

Outback Steakhouse -Gluten Free Menu is a PDF.

Waikiki

4:30-10:00 daily (some days they open at 4)

1765 Ala Moana Blvd,

Honolulu, HI 96815

1-808-951-6274

Roy's - Waikiki Beach  (Hawaiian Fusion, looks pricey.) Also another location south of Honolulu.

Need to talk to chefs and make reservation in advance.  Notify them you are celiac.
226 Lewers Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-7697

Down to Earth  -  market that allegedly sells a lot of GF snacks.  MAP HERE

2525 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: (808) 947-7678

7:30am - 10:00pm

Hula Grill Waikiki - may be a possibility.  go by and ask them before you get hungry.

Waikiki

2335 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

House Without a Key -little south of Fort Derussy. 

entertainment 5:30-8:00.  Open 7am-9pm.  Has lunch and dinner menus.  Pricey. The chef can modify things, but it would be rather expensive for some grilled chicken/steak with white rice and steamed vegetables.  Nice view.

Waikiki

2199 Kalia Rd

Honolulu, HI 96815

Yard House

11am-1am

226 Lewers St
Honolulu, HI 96815

(808) 923-9273

Cheeseburger in Paradise - said to be on Waikiki Beach but I can't find the location on their site.  Cheeseburger has a Gluten Free MENU HERE

NOTE - Though they share the same name of Cheeseburger in Paradise, the restaurant/bar in Waikiki has a different web address and NO gluten free food. AVOID.  That explains why they are not a listed location. I am leaving them on here so you don't trek there for nothing.

Denny's - Look at the allergen PDF before ordering.
2345 KUHIO AVE
HONOLULU, HI 96815
(808) 922-9522

205 Lewers St
HONOLULU, HI 96815
(808) 923-8188

Bubbies Ice Cream and Desserts - they have mochi that may be GF.
(I never made it to either location) - no review forthcoming.

Varsity Center  - Across Varsity Theater on Coyne Street
1010 University Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96826
Mon-Th 12 PM - 12 AM
Fri - Sat 12 PM - 1 AM
Sun 12 PM - 11:30 AM

Hawaii Kai  - Koko Marina Shopping Center
7192 Kalanianaole Hwy D103
Honolulu, HI 96825
(808) 396-8722

Sun - Th 10 AM - 11 PM
Fri - Sat 10 AM - Midnight

Gluten Free Cider

Everyone loves a good list.  Here is the CeliacsUnited.com list of the top gluten free ciders (that I have tried and recall enough to write about).  Beware, some other ciders are not gluten free due to additives etc (avoid Hornsby's for example).  Everything on this list was Gluten Free when I tried it.   I'll add photos eventually.  I purchased everything at bevmo, but most are available elsewhere.  Expect to pay about $1.50 per 12 ounces (9 bucks a 6-pack for you non-math folk).



1. Fox Barrel - Hard Apple Cider.  6.0% alcohol  They claim...

Using freshly pressed juice and a passion for quality,our ciders are refreshing and enjoyable, equally comfortable on the beach or at a dinner party.

I had the 22oz variety and I agree. I claim...

Sweet dang.  That is delicious.  I do feel refreshed. Thank you sir, may I have another.  I'd even drink it if I didn't have celiac disease.  It is kind of them to have a large "Gluten Free" under the nutrition facts.  It is a tad pricey.

2a. Woodchuck Draft Cider - Amber.  5.0% alcohol.  The original flavor.  Amber/golden honey color and good aftertaste.  Non-celiacs will approve of the flavor also. 

2b. Woodchuck Draft Cider - 802.   The name comes from the area code in Vermont that the cider is made.  They "use caramelized sugar instead of white sugar to tone down the sweetness" (their words). I think it tasted pretty sweet (of the..."that sounds pretty sweet to me" variety).  I would definitely have it again.  Different than the amber, not better or worse.

4.  Woodchuck Draft Cider - Spring Cider. 5.0% alcohol. Yellow label with spring meadow scene.  Granny smith with a hint of honey.  Grand improvement over plain Granny Smith.  Mellow smooth tones in your mouth and a friendly aftertaste.

5. Woodchuck Draft Cider - Granny Smith.  5.0% alcohol.  Makes your mouth pucker like you are drinking a sour apple jolly rancher or some fancy less than butch apple-tini.  Apple taste is so strong it seems healthy.  A unique way to get your daily serving of fruits.  I am not too enamored with this.


7. (tie) Woodchuck Draft Cider - Fall Cider (limited release).  5.0% alcohol. Back before my celiac disease was diagnosed, I'd drink beer.  This is the "Sierra Nevada Pale Ale" of ciders.  It is not very pleasant initially, but given a chance repeatedly (over more than a few weeks), it began to grow on me a little.  I think this has the potential to be a cult classic.  You may love or hate it, but try it 6 times before you totally write it off.  I still think it tastes like pine tree urine with a hint of apple.  Has an autumnal label (sorry no pic).

7. (tie)Woodchuck Draft Cider - Raspberry.  4.0% alcohol.  In an obscure reference to tombstone (val kilmer's doc holiday)...Raspberry is my huckleberry.  I just did not really like it.  Too much of the raspberry, would be fine as a dessert cider, but more than one is too many.  I may be too harsh.

Woodchuck Draft Cider - Pear - 4.0% alcohol.  I have not tried yet.

There are other ciders out there that I have not tried or forget...looks like I need to get out there and try some. Also, is it just me...or is cider a strange word.  Look at it on its own.    cider          CIDER          strange.

P.F. Chang's New (ish) Gluten Free Menu

Previously, I posted about PF Chang's GF Menu, and how I wish it had beef. Well, back in March of 2010, they listened and came up with a new menu with a lot more GF options.  They now have Mongolian Beef, Hong Kong Beef, Beef and Broccoli, and all the old favorites.  Here is a printable menu.  Expect to pay a bit more for GF food and receive smaller portions than the usual menu.

Here is the list of GF foods available, copied from their website on June 14th...

FYI - Look at the key.  Spicy is usually very hot (and even for people that like the heat).  They also have some GF soy sauce that you can request on the side.  Make sure that the server takes away the initial generic sauces, as they are not GF.

GLUTEN FREE CHANG'S CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS Quickly cooked spiced chicken served with cool lettuce cups and gluten free sauce	GLUTEN FREE CANTONESE SHRIMP OR SCALLOPS A light, mild blend of seafood, garlic and snow peas	GLUTEN FREE HONG KONG BEEF WITH SNOW PEAS Tender beef, crisp snow peas and water chestnuts together at last
EGG DROP SOUP A classic starter	GLUTEN FREE SHRIMP WITH LOBSTER SAUCE Garlic white wine sauce with Chinese black beans, mushrooms, scallions and egg	GLUTEN FREE SINGAPORE STREET NOODLES Asian "Street Fare" - shrimp, chicken and rice noodles stir-fried in our gluten free sauce
GLUTEN FREE CHANG'S SPICY CHICKEN Lightly dusted and stir-fried in a sweet Sichuan sauce. Our version of General Tso's and always a favorite	GLUTEN FREE SHRIMP WITH LOBSTER SAUCE LUNCH BOWL Garlic white wine sauce with Chinese black beans, mushrooms, scallions and egg served over a bed of rice	GLUTEN FREE FRIED RICE Wok-fried rice blended with egg, soy and sliced scallions. Choice of beef, pork, chicken, shrimp or combo.
GLUTEN FREE GINGER CHICKEN WITH BROCCOLI Served Cantonese-style on a bed of fresh steamed broccoli	GLUTEN FREE MONGOLIAN BEEF Our signature dish, quickly - cooked with scallions and garlic	GLUTEN FREE BUDDHA'S FEAST Vegetable medley served steamed
GLUTEN FREE PHILIP'S BETTER LEMON CHICKEN Lightly dusted and quick-fried chicken served with broccoli in a tart, sweet citrus sauce	GLUTEN FREE BEEF & BROCCOLI Served Cantonese-style, tossed with steamed broccoli	GLUTEN FREE BUDDHA'S FEAST LUNCH BOWL Vegetable medley served steamed over a bed of rice
GLUTEN FREE MOO GOO GAI PAN P.F. Chang's version of the classic Cantonese dish with chicken, shrimp, mushrooms and vegetables	GLUTEN FREE BEEF & BROCCOLI LUNCH BOWL Served Cantonese-style, tossed with steamed broccoli over a bed of rice	GLUTEN FREE SPINACH WITH GARLIC The name says it all
GLUTEN FREE DALI CHICKEN Our spiciest chicken dish served with sliced potatoes and leeks	GLUTEN FREE BEEF A LA SICHUAN Crispy beef strips with julienne celery and carrots. Our spiciest beef dish	GLUTEN FREE GARLIC SNAP PEAS Stir-fried with garlic
GLUTEN FREE MOO GOO GAI PAN LUNCH BOWL P.F. Chang's version of the classic Cantonese dish with chicken, shrimp, mushrooms and vegetables served over a bed of rice	GLUTEN FREE PEPPER STEAK Quickly cooked steak with red and green bell peppers, yellow onions, garlic and black pepper	GLUTEN FREE SHANGHAI CUCUMBERS Sliced, cold cucumbers sprinkled in gluten free soy sauce and sesame seeds
GLUTEN FREE CHANG'S LEMON SCALLOPS Dusted and quick-fired scallops tossed in a light lemon sauce	GLUTEN FREE PEPPER STEAK LUNCH BOWL Quickly cooked steak with red and green bell peppers, yellow onions, garlic and black pepper over a bed of rice	GF CHOCOLATE DOME DESSERT Served with fresh berries and raspberry sauce
GLUTEN FREE SALMON STEAMED WITH GINGER Served over stir-fried shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, tomatoes and asparagus

Gluten Free Pizza at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Thin Crust, GF Beer, 2 enthusiastic GF thumbs up.

So, I just ate lunch at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Newport Beach, near the Balboa Pier.
BALBOA
106 Main St.
Newport Beach , CA 92661
949.675.7560
949.675.7567 FAX
At Balboa by the Pier

It is a small place, with friendly waiters and a nice ambiance.

They have some new menu items that are GF, and their new gluten free pizza is the feature item in a new promotional campaign.

Here is the table flyer...

I shared my concerns about cross contamination (why Whole Foods gluten-free pizza is to be avoided) with the waiter, who assuaged my fears by explaining that the GF pizza has a separate prep station, separate sauces, and is very obsessively kept apart from the normal pizza.   

According to their Gluten-free selections menu, they have 5 salads, some soup, 4 types of stuffed potatoes, steak, salmon, and roasted chicken that can be prepared in a gluten-free manner.  I opted for the Gluten-Free Thin Crust Pizza. 

  Their menu describes it as "A flavorful, herb-infused, 10-inch crust baked to a golden brown and topped with your favorite gluten-free toppings.  With the exception of our meatballs, all of BJ's Classic Ingredients are gluten-free."

I opted for Hawaiian with a twist. Ham, Pineapple, Roasted Garlic.  I ordered a gluten-free beer on the side (Redbridge, reviewed in another post).  It arrived looking good, and tasted better.

The entire meal, pizza with three toppings and a $4.50 beer, came to less than $20.  It was great to be out at a pizza place at the beach, with beer and without worries.  I hope that this brings BJ's some additional business so that they keep the gluten free pizza.  I know I will be back, and bringing other customers with me.

Here is a photo of the outdoor menu..

The official website is here.  The pizza toppings are here.

Place to Try - Gluten Free Pizza at zpizza

Z Pizza has numerous locations.  Someone I know recently told me about the zpizza gluten free pizza crust option.  I have yet to check it out.  I want to double check if they use a separate station for the GF toppings to avoid cross contamination (CC for you GF geeks) and watch them make one before I can actually tell you to eat there....that said, look at the GF menu options here, the locations here, and let me know if it is worth going to (should you try it before me).

          Full disclosure: The pictures are from my screen shots of their website.